Russians becoming more moderate on views of Vladimir Lenin

MOSCOW, April 21 (UPI) -- Russians have a more moderate view of late Communist leader Vladimir Lenin now than they did in previous years, a poll found.

The poll, conducted by sociologists from the Levada Center and released ahead of the anniversary of the Russian revolutionary Monday, found 31 percent of Russians believe in 40 to 50 years Lenin will be remembered only by historians, Interfax reported.

In 2011, 39 percent said the same, as did 45 percent of respondents in 2007.

About 5 percent of respondents said they believe Lenin will be regarded as a brutal dictator -- down from 12 percent in 2011, the poll found.

The sociologists who conducted the poll said "while for respondents aged 40 and over the sum of positive evaluations -- leader, great thinker -- exceeds the sum of negative evaluations -- cunning politician, adventurer, dictator -- by more than a half, among those aged 25-40 they are almost equal."

Meanwhile, 53 percent said they are not in favor of changing the name of St. Petersburg to its former Leningrad. About 30 percent of respondents said they were in favor of changing the city name and 17 percent said they were indifferent.

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